When Shakur Bolden first accepted Islam 30 years ago, he didn’t think much of the fasting during Ramadan.

These days, Bolden said he realizes the tradition is much more demanding.

Before a crowd of nearly 100 people, Bolden and several members of Jacksonville’s Muslim community discussed what Ramadan means to them. For Bolden, it meant abstaining from eating even when his parents, who are Christian, are celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas meals.

The discussion was part of a panel held at the Islamic Center of Northeast Florida. The center held its “Sharing Ramadan” event Sunday, an event in which people of all faiths are invited to the center to learn about Muslim traditions.

Ramadan is the ninth month in the Muslim lunar calendar. During the Fast of Ramadan, which lasts the entire month, Jacksonville Muslims — and their fellow Muslims across the world — abstain from food, drink, sexual relations and sinful actions from sunrise to sunset.

During Ramadan, it’s common for Muslims to go to the mosque and spend hours praying and studying the Quran. Passages from the Quran are chanted. In many cases, the entire book is read in a one-month span. The goal is to concentrate on faith.

This year, Ramadan ends Aug. 19.

Sitting next to Bolden was Sama Beg, an employee at Brooks Rehabilitation Center. Beg, who was born in Saudi Arabia, said it’s slightly more difficult to fast in America because there are so many people not fasting. In her native country, everyone fasts during Ramadan, she said, and so there’s less temptation to eat.

“But with that challenge there comes more rewarding,” Beg said.

After the discussions, nearly 400 people in attendance gathered in tents outside the center, and as the sun dipped behind the horizon, they broke their fast together. In the Muslim tradition, the attendants started their meals with dates and water.

khristopher.brooks@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4104

Hundreds of Jacksonville Muslims break fast together at Islamic Center- By